Flammable gas initiated pyrotechnic inflator
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorsKarl K. Rink, Wesley L. Hatt, Steven R. Pripps, David W. Lindsey, David J. Green, Scott A. Jackson, Donald J. Cunningham
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for igniting a pyrotechnic gas generator, or inflator, such as those used in automotive airbag systems is disclosed. The ignition system uses a flammable gas to ignite the pyrotechnic gas generant. The flammable gas can be stored either throughout interior free space in the inflator or it can be maintained in a separate sealed container either separately or jointly with the pyrotechnic gas generant. The method and apparatus offer both cost savings and a reduction in delay time over conventional pyrotechnic ignition systems.
Claims27
An inflator suitable for use with an airbag passive restraint system, comprising:
- a housing containing a solid pyrotechnic gas generant,
- a quantity of a flammable gas which is sufficient to ignite said solid pyrotechnic gas generant, and
- an initiator which, upon activation, is capable of igniting said flammable gas.
A method of producing a product gas suitable for inflating an inflatable article, comprising:
- providing a quantity of a solid pyrotechnic gas generant capable of producing said product gas in a housing,
- enclosing a flammable gas within said housing,
- igniting said flammable gas,
- igniting said solid pyrotechnic gas generant by contacting it with the ignition products of said ignited flammable gas, and
- allowing the product gas produced by the ignited gas generant to discharge from said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.